🚢 Baltimore bridge hit twice, SPOT robodog is shot, Webb's alien worlds (1)

How did a slow-moving ship bring down a 47-year-old bridge? Well, experts have proposed that the collapse wasn't due to a single cause. They highlight the fact that a different ship had previously collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in 1980, as well as other factors like its ‘old infrastructure,’ which contributed to the final act.

“The outcome…is an example of the dangers caused by the massive increase in shipping vessel size in the intervening decades,” reads one report. For more on this analysis, head over to today’s Must Read.

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> Sr. Software Engineer
> Senior Integration Engineer (Remote Within Ca)

🎙 New podcast How squid robots are taking over warehouse logistics with Gili Ovadia

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🚢 Baltimore bridge struck by ships twice: Here’s why it fell the 2nd time

The Key Bridge in Baltimore was crucial to the Interstate 965. Since the container ship hit just one support pillar, it is surprising that the entire 1.5-mile-long structure has collapsed.

The ship's power failure and loss of steering suggest contaminated fuel, as one likely suspect. This incident echoes a similar collision four decades ago when a Japanese container ship lost power and hit the same bridge. Importantly, the bridge was designed for smaller vessels, unlike the large ships of today, like DALI.

An extra safeguard known as fenders might have lessened the impact. Experts informed the BBC that funding for such measures is limited, and decisions on risk reduction are made considering the likelihood of events. It's possible that the idea of a large ship colliding with the bridge was perceived as a low-probability scenario.

🤖 Roscoe: Boston Dynamic’s SPOT becomes the world’s first hero, robodog

A Boston Dynamic’s SPOT robotic dog has officially become the first of its kind to become a police dog hero. The robodog in question, a Massachusetts State Police SPOT unit, was shot in the line of duty.

According to the police department, the robodog’s actions may have saved human lives. Called “Roscoe,” the robot dog was involved in a police action to deal with a person barricaded in their home.

According to the police, the person was armed with a rifle. During the incident, they knocked over the robotic dog twice before shooting it three times and disabling its communication. “Roscoe” is now back with Boston Dynamics for repairs and will stay with them for the foreseeable future.

🪐 In a world first, James Webb peers at alien worlds as they form

Astronomers have recently imaged protoplanetary disks around HL Tau, SAO 206462, and MWC 758, using observations from Hubble and ALMA. Their next goal was to use the Webb telescope to detect nascent planets within these disks — and their findings were unexpected.

Instead of planets, they discovered a potential planet candidate. Currently, they can't confirm with absolute certainty whether it's a planet or a faint background object like a star or galaxy interfering with their image.

Further observations will hopefully determine their discovery’s true nature. Understanding how protoplanetary disks interact with newly-formed gas giants will help scientists better understand Earth’s evolution.

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HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY

SCIENCE

> Engineers from the University of New South Wales have achieved a new milestone in physics. They made quantum processors operate at temperatures 20 times warmer than previously possible. (More)

> The object, called Kuiper Belt Object 486958 Arrokoth, greatly resembles a snowman. Since it formed during the early formation of the solar system, the ‘ice bomb’ serves as a time capsule for the ancient past. (More)

> Physicists have developed an astrocomb that can analyze the blue-green light emitted by stars. Astrocombs can detect tiny variations in a star's light created by orbiting exoplanets, potentially revealing one similar to Earth. (More)

ENERGY

> Recent studies have shown that the water stored for hydroelectric power plants is a significant source of methane, and startups are looking to tap into it as an alternative to fossil fuels. (More)

> France's state-owned energy company EDF says it has approval to load a new nuclear plant with fuel. France plans to expand its nuclear sector, unlike Germany, which has shut it down. (More)

> Dutch-Norwegian renewable energy company SolarDuck has been awarded the world’s first Prototype Certification for a floating offshore solar technology. (More)

INNOVATION

> A conversation with BionicHive's VP, Gili Ovadia, unveils how SqUID bots — once hailed by Elon Musk — are automating warehouses using existing shelves and boxes. (More)

> A startup has launched the “world’s first” tree bark-based packaging material as an alternative to plastic. It works with equipment used for plastic-based packaging production, making the switch easier. (More)

> The tech behind a flying car, originally developed and successfully test-flown in Europe, has been bought by a Chinese firm. Powered by a BMW engine and normal fuel, the AirCar flew for 35 minutes. (More)

VIDEO

> Here, IE runs you through the recent collapse of The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore into the Patapsco River after being struck by a container ship. Currently, rescue operations are underway for those who fell into the river. It is now believed the ship lost propulsion. (More)

> This video discusses how thieves made off with 1 million dollars worth of e-bikes from Bitrix, pulling off the heist in a mere seven minutes. Among the stolen goods was the highly coveted Juggernaut FS St model. (More)

> Learn how to capture the magic of a total solar eclipse with these NASA-approved photography tips. IE runs you through how to prioritize safety with solar viewing glasses, utilize any camera with a tripod for stability, and more. (More)

IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS

Hey there! Yesterday, we threw out a brain teaser on our socials: “Can you figure out what the missing number is?

The answer is: 4

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